One of the first of its kind in the country, HertsHelp brings together the expertise of a huge range of services for anyone who needs help or advice of any kind. The service is free and open to people of all ages and aims to find solutions quickly and simply.

HertsHelp is an initiative of Hertfordshire County Council and NHS Hertfordshire, responding to the Government’s call for more accessible information, advice and support services to help people to keep well and live independently in their communities.

Whatever the question or problem, there is just one phone number to ring – 0300 1234 044 (local call rate) – and the experienced advisers at the other end can provide information in a wide range of formats and refer callers to the relevant experts in the HertsHelp network of organisations.

HertsHelp can help you get the most out of life in the following areas:

• Staying healthy and well
• Feeling safe in your home and community
• Getting involved in your community
• Learning, training and staying in work
• Keeping active
• Help with money worries
• Help to get out and about
• Community groups
• Relationships and families
• Emotional support
• Putting something back (giving time/volunteering)

There is a separate minicom number for those hard of hearing – 0300 4562 364. Both this and the main number, 0300 1234 044, are staffed from 9am to 5pm weekdays, with an extra two hours, 5pm to 7pm, on Thursdays. Visit www.hertsdirect.org/hertshelp

Visit YouTube to view a short film about some of the people who have been helped by HertsHelp. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bof7GqIrUms